Hong Kong  - Five pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong were Sunday refused entry to neighbouring Macau when they went to test an apparent travel ban on so-called anti-China elements.

The five, including legislators Leung Kwok-hung and Lee Cheuk-yan, were part of a delegation of 33 pro-democracy activists protesting a recent crackdown in the gambling resort.

They were stopped by immigration officers after arriving by ferry from Hong Kong Sunday morning, questioned and sent back to Hong Kong in what appeared to be enforcement of strict new national security laws.

In recent weeks, several legislators, academics and a journalist have been refused entry to the former Portuguese colony which in February adopted tough new anti-dissident laws.

Lee Cheuk-yan called the incident "regrettable" and called on Hong Kong's chief executive to protest the decision.

"I have never protested or even raised a banner in Macau in the past," he said.

Macau is a 45-minute ferry ride from Hong Kong. The travel restrictions have provoked fears that Macau, which like Hong Kong was a colony before reverting to Chinese rule in the 1990s, is taking a hard line on anyone it sees as being anti-China.

Macau, a Portuguese colony for 450 years before returning to Chinese rule in 1999, has a reputation for being less enthusiastic than Hong Kong in maintaining press and personal freedoms.

Both Hong Kong and Macau have independent mini-constitutions, guaranteeing political freedoms and judicial independence under what are called "one country, two systems" arrangements with China.

Attempts to bring in national security laws in Hong Kong were abandoned after heavy opposition and protests. (dpa)